Machine for automatically sealing envelops.



' PATENTED APR. 26, 19.04

y L. c. BABGOGK. MACHINE FOR AUTOMATICALLY SEALING ENVELOPS.

APPLIOATIOK IILBD JUNE 18' 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

IIJIA: I

WITNESSES PATE'NTED mzs, 1904.,

G. BABCOCK. MATIGALLY SEALING BNVELOPS.

n J 1a 1903.

MAGHINE FOR AUT APPL treat, so that they may transmit the pressure fairly to the envelop during the treatment. It is also important that each side piece shall be elastic, so as to allow for variations in the thickness of the envelop, and especially in the thickness of the contents. I have shown these side pieces as formed of thin metal, each nearly folded upon itself along the upper edge. The side pieces are so proportioned and set that when they are in the inclined position their edges Gr lie a little above the level of the tops of the platforms E.

A is a guide which may, as shown, be made of stout wire inserted in the main framing A. The duty of these parts 'is to hold down the main body of the envelop when a force is applied, as will presently appear, tending to bend the whole envelop. By holding down the body of the envelop by means of this guide A and allowing the flap which travels in a path out of contact with the guide torise, a very important step in the treatment (the separation of the flap I from the body I) of the envelop is attained.

H is a roller (I have in my experiments used hardwood) turning freely on a .sufliciently stout horizontal pin A, which lies over the body of the envelop and holds it down still more effectually during the lifting and after the flap has been lifted.

M is a roller turning loosely on a rigid vertical pin A, which extends downward from a sufiiciently stout horizontal arm A, reaching over the series of platforms. The surface of this roller is covered with felt or analogous material adapted to apply a small quantity of water uniformily over the gummed flaps as they are successively carried past it by the motion of the machine and gently compressed between this roller and the adjacent face of the side pieces.

A is a horizontal strip of board or other material held on edge and extending along the side of the machine adjacent to the path of the platforms in the upper portion of their traverse.

A is a cam-piece screwed or otherwise secured on the inner face of this portion A When the crankB is turned and the endless belt D set in motion, the several platforms are carried successively along over the horizontal table A, and the several side pieces G are allowed to stand each in an inclined position permitted by the distance of the board A.

The several platforms and their side pieces are combined in sets of three, each set being similar to the others, and a description of one set will suffice for all. The side pieces of each set are engaged together by a pin G in the foremost extending rearward and being received in a corresponding but somewhat larger recess g in'the next succeeding side piece. This recess is open at the back. The second side piece in each set is provided with a corresponding vpin correspondingly marked, ex-

tending rearward and engaging in a corresponding recess 9 in the rear side piece of the set. There are no means of engagement between the rearmost of the set and the next set except through the belt D.

When in the traversing of the belt and the several platforms and side pieces the foremost side piece of a set strikes the oblique front edge of the cam A, it compels this front side piece to turn rapidly into the upright position, and by means of the pins Gr, engaging the first piece with the second and the second with the third, all the side pieces G of that set are correspondingly lifted into the upright position.

E E, &c., are gages. They may be simply .smooth pins set in each platform E in the position represented near the axis of the hinges F. Experience may determine with difierent sizes and materials of envelops how these gages should be set. My experiments indicate that for ordinary work they should be about a quarter of an inch from the line traversed by the offsets e.

The attendant supplies the previously-filled envelops by laying them successively face downward upon the series of platforms E and thrusting each beyond the offset line 6 until its edge strikes the gages E In this position the envelop is carried forward, its body being held down nearly or quite in contact with the upper faces of the several platforms E, and the series of three side pieces are forcibly turned on their hinges F and caused to assume the upright instead of the inclined position. This movement by bringing the edges G forcibly down upon the overhanging edge of the envelop forces that edge downward into a vertical position, and the flap I of the envelop being free and havingsome stiffness rises into a correspondingly vertical or nearly vertical position; but the main bodyI of the envelop being held down by the guide A and roller H remains in very nearly the flat position it had before. Now the body of the envelop remaining fiat, as before, while the flap I extends upward nearly or quite at right angles to the body the envelop, with its load, is carried past the wettingroller M, which latter presses gently against'the previously-gummed inner face of the flap I and gives it the desired thin evenlydistributed coating of water. So soon as this face of the flap has been thus uniformly dampened by its passage between the roller M and the faces of the adjacent side pieces Gr the body I of the envelop which has been previously held down is allowed to rise. The resilience of the sharply-folded portion 1 may not be sufficient to lift it. I provide an inclined lifter A, which extends down nearly into contact with the upper surfaces of the several platforms E and is, furthermore, provided with a plow-point A, which extends farther downward and is received in the groove 6. The offset 6 of the platforms E continues with the side pieces G to maintain a firm grip on the sharply-bentedge of the envelop, so that the envelop is certain to continue moving forward, and the plow A and the adjacent inclined sur-- side pieces G. The surface of this roller T should be elastic. It exerts sufiicient' force against the body of the envelop to press it against the wetted flap and insure an effective contact over thewhole surface. My experiments indicate that when the machine is run at ordinary speed the wetting softens and renders adhesive the whole surface of the coating of gum on the envelop. After being subjected to this final compressionthe side pieces are released one by one as they successively escape from the cam A and are allowed to assume their previous inclined positions. A is aninclined deflector whichstands in a position to insure that the envelop shall be detached. A is a piece attached to A arranged to insure that the side pieces shall be inclined. These acts liberate the now completely-sealed envelop, and it falls by gravity and is led away by aspout. (Not shown.) 7 Y The machine so far as yet described may be used with some success, care being taken to supply the moisture at short intervals by hand to the soft coating of the wetting-roller M. In such case the water may be applied by a camels-hair brush, applying it mainly at the upper edge and allowing it to be distributed by the natural tendency of the water to spread under such circumstances aided by the gravity of the water. I have devised means for applying the water automatically with provisions for adjusting it as may be required by the thickness and quality of'the paper and of the gum coating thereon, and especially by the hygrometric condition of the atmosphere for the time being.

' A (see Figs. 1 and 3) is a tank, which may be much larger than shown, kept supplied with Water and delivering it through a small passage controlled by any convenient device, as a cook or simply a tapering plug K. (Shown in dottedlines in Fig. 3.) from the tank A through this controllable passage a and is distributed on a short upright roller L, which turns loosely on the pin A and is provided with a soft waterretain-' ing surface, as felt. The turning of the shaft B induces the continuous forward motion of the side pieces G. The friction of these side pieces causes the revolutions of the properlydampened roller M, and the revolution of the latter acts frictionally on the'feeding-roller the form of a screw-thread L.

The water descends L, which latter is kept liberally wetted. This short roller being sufficiently wetted insures the proper moistening of the upper portion of the Wetting-roller M. This is the part which treats the extreme rounded edge of the flap. The remainder of the roller is certain to be fairly wetted by the diffusion of the water aided by gravity. A is a broad inclined spout which is presented below and arranged to contact lightly with the lower edge of the.

wet surface of this roller L and lead harmlessly away the excess of water.

surplus of water will descend upon the feedroller.

P is a wiping-brush, or it may be a bunch of folded fabric or-other convenient material, Which may be removed and fresh substituted from time to time, the function of which is to wipe the working faces of the side pieces G during their return passage under the table A.

The provisions shown make it easy to keep the feeding-roller L at a certain condition with regard to its wetnessa condition a little in excess of saturation-one in which no more water can be carried on the roller, because any excess which is supplied has opportunity to drain away. this roller the required lesser degree of wetness by making the feeding-roller shorter and applying only to the-upper half of the Wetting-roller and also by making only a portion of the surface of the feeding-roller receptive.

A preferable condition in this regard is to apply the soft water-holding surface material in The width of the screw-threads may bear any desired ratio to the width of the inefl ective spaces between. Practice may determine in special cases. If the feeding-roller L has a screw-thread L, of felt, covering only about half its surface, the other half being the ineffective spaces between the threads, the water supplied to the wettingroller M will serve successfully under ordinary conditions.

. I have shown slots 9 at the lower edge of the folded metal which constitutes each side piece G, arranged to loosely receive the corresponding gage E This allows the gages to be adjusted inward or outward, which can usually be done by simply bending, and-prevents the gages from interfering with the elastic action of the side pieces.

Modifications may be made without departing from-the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. The platforms E may be narrower-that is to say. they may have less extension in the direction of the length of their traverse, using a correspond- -portion one machine to treat all the ordinary It is well to adjust the controlling means K so that a slight I provide for giving from Instead of mounting the pressing-roller on the same arm A which serves as a lifter for the body of the envelop there may be a separate arm provided to carry the roller.

There may be several of the wetting-rollers M and several of the pressing-rollers T arranged to treat successively the passing envelops.

It is well to make the feeding-roller L not only with its surfaces screw-t1] readed, so as to present considerably less than its full surface to impart water to the wetting-roller M, but also to have it sufficiently different in diameter from the wetting-roller to present the wetting-surfaces of small area in new places every time they come in contact with the less wetted surface of the wetting-roller. I have shown the lower end of the feeding-roller contracted in diameter and esteem such construction preferable; but this and other details of the work may be varied within wide limits.

I claim as my invention 1. A machine for closing and sealing envelops comprising an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith, adapted to receive the envelops and carry them along therewith, hinged side pieces carried with such platforms and provisions for opening the envelop .moistening the gummed surface of the flap, closing the envelop and pressing the flap firmly upon the body, combined substantially as herein specified.

2. In a machine for closing and sealing envelops, an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith adapted to receive the envelops and carry them along therewith, hinged side pieces carried with such platforms and provisions by the offset 1; on the platforms and the movement of the side pieces past such offset for deflecting aportion of the envelop so as to induce a rise of the flap, in combination with each other and with means for preventing the rising of the body of the envelop thereby insuring the open condition of the envelop ready for the succeeding operations, all substantially as herein specified.

3. In amachine for closing and sealing envelops, an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith adapted to receive the envelops and carry them along therewith, hinged side pieces carried with such platforms and provisions by the offset a on the platforms and the movement of the side pieces past such offset for deflecting a portion of the envelop so as to induce a rise of the flap, in combination with each other and with means for preventing the rising of the body of the envelop, and means M for moistening the gummed inner face of the flap while thus held open, all substantially as herein specified.

4. In a machine for closing and sealing envelops, an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith adapted to receive the envelops and carrythem along therewith,hinged side pieces carried with such platforms and provisions by the offset 0 on the platforms and the movement of the side pieces past such offset for deflecting a portion of the envelop so as to induce a rise of the flap, in combina tion with each other and with means for preventing the rising of the body of the envelop, and means M for moistening the gummed in .ner face of the flap while thus held open, and

provisions for subsequently raising the envelop-body into contact with the so-moistened flap and pressing the surfaces firmly together, all substantially as herein specified.

5. In a machine for closing and sealing envelops, an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith adapted to receive the envelops and carry them along therewitl1,hinged side pieces carried with such platforms and provisions by the offset 6 on the platforms and the movement of the side pieces past such offset for deflecting a portion of the envelop so as to induce a rise of the flap, in combination with each other and with means for preventing the rising of the body of the envelop, and

means'M for moistening the gummed inner face of the flap while thus held open, and provisions for subsequently raising the envelopbody into contact with the so-moistened flap and pressing the surface firmly together, and means for detaching the closed envelop and a wiping device P arranged to wipe the faces of the side pieces ready for the succeeding operation, all substantially as herein specified.

6. A machine for closing and sealing envelops comprising an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith adapted to receive the envelops and carry them along therewith, hinged side pieces carried with such platforms, and provisions by the offset 0 on the platforms and the movement of the side pieces past such offset for deflecting a portion of the envelop so as to induce a rise of the flap, in combination with the tank A, discharge-passage a, wetting-roller M, and controlling means K for regulating at will the supply of Water thereto, all substantially as herein specifie 7. A machine for closing and sealing envelops comprising an endless belt and means for moving it, small rigid platforms fixed thereto and moved therewith adapted to receive the envelops and carry them along therewith, hinged side pieces carried with such ITO platforms, and provisions by the ofl'set e on the platforms and the movement of the side pieces past such offset for deflecting a portion of the envelop so as to induce a rise of the flap, in combination withthe tank A, discharge-passage a, wetting-roller M, and controlling means K for regulating at will the supply of water thereto, and With the drainspout A and the feed-roller intermediately 10 between the supply-passage a and the wetting-roller, all arranged for joint operation substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUCIEN O. BABCOCK.

' Witnesses:

HENRY H. LEWIS, THEODORE L. SCHNEIDER. 

